Russian Central Asia Including Kuldja, Bokhara, Khiva And Merv

London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, And Rivington, 1885. First Edition. Lansdell, an Anglican minister, journeyed through Russian Central Asia (Akmolinsk, Omsk, Semipolatinsk, Sergiopol, Semirechia, Altyn-Immel, Kuldja, Turkistan, Syr-Daria, Tashkend, Amu-Daria, Ferghana, Khokand, Zarafshan, Sarmarkand, Kitab, Shahr, Karshi, Bokhara, Charjui, Upper Oxus, Kabakli, Tashauz, Kunia Urgenj, Kunia Vezier, Petro-Alexandrovsk, Lower Oxus, Khiva, Sary Kamish, Kaplan Kir, Krasnovodsk, Turkmenia, and Merv) from June to December 1882, distributing religious literature. His work provides information on the regions traversed, their geography, geology, fauna and flora, characteristics of the people, government, political economy, language, religion, and prison systems, a particular interest of Lansdell’s. Appended are notes on flora and fauna, pp. [506]-653, and a bibliography, pp. [654]-684. Cordier, Sinica, IV 2836. Nerhood 347. Yakushi L36. 2 Volumes. 8vo. pp. xxvii, [5], 687; xiii, [3], 732. mounted photogravure frontis. portrait, 4 double-page wood-engraved plates (incl. frontis.), 2 folding colour maps, & 65 wood-engraved text illus. (some full-page), most after photographs taken by the author. original black, gilt & silver-stamped pictorial cloth (rubbed, cloth soiled, extremities frayed, Vol. II upper rear joint starting & inner hinge cracked, Royal United Service Institution bookplates, several library blindstamps, few map tears & repairs – no loss)